10 Best MSW Programs for Future School Social Workers

Want to know something interesting? An MSW could boost your salary by at least $13,000 compared to a BSW. Social work can be quite rewarding financially – the top 10% of professionals in this field earn more than $99,500 each year.

Now is the perfect time to look into top social work graduate programs. Mental health professionals are in short supply nationwide, and qualified social workers are becoming more essential. This is especially true for child, family and school social workers, where they earn on average $58,570 annually.

Your career advancement in school social work offers many possibilities. Most MSW programs require two years, but BSW holders can take advantage of advanced-standing programs to graduate within a year. We’ve carefully assessed and ranked the top 10 MSW programs to help you choose the right educational path.

University of Michigan–Ann Arbor

The University of Michigan School of Social Work ranks among the best social work graduate programs nationwide for future school social workers. Their specialized curriculum gives you complete training to help you make a real difference in educational settings.

Welfare of Children and Families Pathway

The University of Michigan has a dedicated school social worker specialization that students love, whether they study on campus or online. You’ll need these requirements to earn this specialization:

• MSW degree from the University of Michigan
• Interpersonal Practice or Welfare of Children and Families Pathway
• Two required courses: SW 626 (School Social Worker Assessments) and SW 628 (School Social Worker Interventions)
• 500 field hours of direct practice with children and youth

Michigan’s program stands out because you don’t need to complete your field hours in a school setting. This gives you more flexibility with your practicum experience. Once you graduate, you’ll get a recommendation to the Michigan Department of Education for temporary approval as a school social worker (SSW Form 310).

Students who want to practice in other states can meet additional state requirements with some advance planning. Associate Clinical Professor Beth Sherman, who specializes in school social work, can guide you through this process.

Program Structure

Michigan’s MSW program needs 60 credit hours and offers several schedule options that work around your life. You can pick from these curriculum schedules:

• 12-Month Program: Starts in September and ends with graduation in July/August
• 16-Month Program: Has spring/summer term with graduation in December of the second year
• 20-Month Program: Skips spring/summer term, ending in April/May of the second year

The program also offers a 45-credit hour option for qualified students:

• Advanced Standing for BSW graduates
• Social Work Essentials/MasterTrack™ MSW if you have three or more years of human services experience
• Combined programs with UM-Dearborn and UM-Ann Arbor sociology

Students start with core generalist courses and choose from eight specialized pathways. You’ll complete twelve credit hours in your main pathway and can add a second pathway through electives. Part-time/evening students must take the Interpersonal Practice in Integrated Health, Mental Health, and Substance Abuse pathway.

Tuition and Financial Aid

UMich’s tuition ranges depending on your track and your residency. For on-campus MSWs, you can expect to pay around $18,000 a semester for tuition for residents, and $28,000 a semester for non-residents. For online students, you can expect similar ranges, although slightly lower for residents who enroll in the online program.

Money matters when it comes to graduate school. Michigan helps students through various financial aid options. You can apply to two main sources within the university:

• School of Social Work departmental grants and scholarships
• U-M Office of Financial Aid for federal loans and work-study

The best way to get financial aid is to submit both the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and the School of Social Work financial aid application. FAFSA opens in October for the next academic year. You should apply early.

Michigan typically awards aid to students who show financial need and want to work with disadvantaged populations. The MSW program limits most aid to:

• Four terms for full-time 60-credit program students
• Three terms for 45-credit program and dual degree students
• Seven to nine terms for part-time MSW students

Students who can’t get a Direct Graduate Plus Loan or face unexpected costs might qualify for emergency aid. International students can apply for departmental scholarships that don’t look at financial need.

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

UNC-Chapel Hill ranks among the nation’s top schools and offers one of the best social work graduate programs. The program gives students complete training to become school social workers. Students learn evidence-based approaches that help them create real change in educational settings through specialized concentrations and flexible formats.

School Social Work Pathways

Students at UNC-Chapel Hill can pick between two concentrations that match their school social work career goals perfectly:

• Direct Practice (DP): This path prepares you to work with individuals, families, and small groups face-to-face, including schools. You’ll learn clinical skills needed to counsel students and families in educational settings.
• Community, Management, and Policy Practice (CMPP): This path looks at the bigger picture and prepares you to lead policy development, advocacy, and program management that shapes educational systems and communities.

Both paths stick to core social work values. These values include equal access to services, respect for individual dignity, and meeting human needs—all vital parts of successful school social work.

Program Formats

Students can choose from four flexible program options:

• 12-Month Advanced Standing MSW Program: BSW holders can finish faster with this program that runs from May to May. Students complete 13 credit hours in summer before joining the specialization curriculum for fall and spring.
• 2-Year MSW Program: This traditional full-time path lets students complete both generalist and specialization curricula in four semesters. Field experience starts right from the first semester.
• 3-Year MSW Program: Working professionals who can commute to Chapel Hill will find this perfect. Students finish the generalist curriculum with Friday classes over two years. The final year focuses on specialization curriculum full-time.
• Online MSW Program: The same full-time faculty teach this fully online option. Students complete 62 credit hours and two internships in their local community. This works great for working professionals.

Every format includes valuable field experience. Students contribute over 130,000 hours yearly to agencies—worth about $1.20 million in service to North Carolina communities.

Students already working as school social workers may apply to have this experience count as their field education.

Tuition and Scholarships

Finances definitely matter when picking a program. North Carolina residents pay less tuition than the national average ($9,003 compared to $12,201). Out-of-state students pay $41,211, which is higher than the national average of $29,084.

UNC School of Social Work shows its dedication to accessibility with more than 30 merit- and need-based scholarships. These include:

• The Berg Scholars Award for future CMPP concentration leaders
• The Amy Louise Brannock Memorial Scholarship for students studying trauma and sexual violence
• The Alan Keith-Lucas Scholarship for those helping children
• The Ellen Black Winston Scholarship Award

Students can also find research assistantship opportunities. These positions offer professional mentorship, stipends, and health insurance. Some even cover tuition.

Students should submit their FAFSA (code: 002974) by March 1 and the School of Social Work scholarship application to get the most financial aid. The school gives out scholarships for fall and spring semesters of the upcoming academic year. Summer terms usually don’t have funding available.

University of California–Los Angeles (UCLA)

UCLA’s Luskin School ranks among the top social work graduate programs because of its focus on child and family well-being. The school is a perfect choice for future school social workers. Students learn both theory and practice to prepare them for work in educational settings of all types.

Child and Family Well-Being Concentration

The Child and Family Well-Being Area of Concentration at UCLA gives you essential knowledge about normal and non-normal development paths, stressful life changes, and environmental elements that help children grow. Social workers learn to identify what creates well-being both inside and outside family systems.

UCLA stands out because of its approach that builds expertise at every level – from individual care to policy making. After completing this concentration, you can work in many settings related to school social work:

• Outpatient clinics and community centers
• Foster care and group residential settings
• Juvenile courts and justice programs
• Family and youth service programs
• Advocacy organizations and policy settings

Students interested in the Child and Family Well-Being concentration can choose a special 3-year program option. Morning classes and flexible practicum hours throughout the program make this format convenient.

MSW Practicum Opportunities

Real-life experience is the root of UCLA’s social work education. Students complete approximately 1,100 practicum hours at two different locations during the two-year program, which earns them 21 units of academic credit. This hands-on training provides great real-life experience.

Your first year introduces you to both macro and micro practices with clients from various backgrounds. Students work two full eight-hour days weekly (Mondays and Wednesdays) at their agency placement. Fridays are set aside for practicum modules.

Second-year placements match your concentration choice and require three days weekly (Monday, Wednesday, Friday). The program structure helps you gain experience in:

• Direct service provision
• Community outreach
• Advocacy and consultation
• Research activities
• Staff development

UCLA’s post-MSW Pupil Personnel Services Credential (PPSC) program lets students specialize in school social work. This program needs 450 practicum hours under qualified supervision.

Program Costs

The MSW program at UCLA requires substantial investment. California residents pay about $69,244 for the standard two-year MSW program. The three-year program with added PPSC credential costs around $77,887.

Non-resident domestic students pay higher fees – approximately $82,060 for the standard program and $90,703 for the three-year program with PPSC. International students pay the highest fees at about $103,444 for the standard program and $116,375 for the extended program with credentials.

Financial aid options include:

• Need-based aid through FAFSA or Dream Act applications
• Professional Degree Financial Aid grants ($1,000 to $10,000)
• Low-interest federal loans and work-study opportunities

UCLA MSW graduates earn median salaries between $70,000-$80,000 after graduation, which helps offset their initial investment. Recent data shows that the average student debt for UCLA MSW graduates was approximately $53,228 in 2021-22.

University of Chicago

The Crown Family School at University of Chicago provides a unique Master of Arts Program in Social Work, Social Policy, and Social Administration (AM degree) instead of a traditional MSW. This program gives students equivalent credentials with broader interdisciplinary training to become school social workers.

Children and Families Concentration

The Children and Families in Systems Context pathway stands out among social work graduate programs with its integrated approach to helping youth in educational settings. Students in this specialized pathway learn to:

• Support policies that improve children’s well-being
• Create integrated interventions in a variety of ethnic and cultural contexts
• Know how to succeed within educational systems, community mental health, and child welfare organizations

Students become experts in infant and early childhood services, education systems, and youth development through a lifespan viewpoint. Graduates learn to tackle complex challenges facing children in school settings through direct practice and systems-level interventions.

Curriculum

The Crown Family School program has managed to keep continuous accreditation since 1919, making it one of the world’s leading social work masters programs. The curriculum includes:

First-year Core curriculum that introduces direct practice, policy analysis, and research methods. This foundation helps students master core competencies stated by the Council on Social Work Education.

The clinical concentration—chosen by two-thirds of students—requires:

• Two-quarter sequence in one practice method (cognitive-behavioral, family systems, or psychodynamic)
• One-quarter course in a second practice method
• Clinical research course
• Human behavior in social environment course
• 640 hours of supervised clinical field placement

The dedicated “School Social Work Policy and Practice” course is a great way to get experience especially when you have plans to become a school social worker. This course analyzes social workers’ roles in educational settings, assessment techniques, interventions, and education policy.

Tuition

Full-time AM program tuition costs $51,723 ($17,241 per quarter) for the 2024-2025 academic year. A single student’s estimated total cost reaches $88,836 with these additional expenses:

• Graduate Student Services Fee: $1,452
• Health insurance: $4,998
• Books and supplies: $2,085
• Room and board: $21,750

Crown Family School offers significant scholarship aid, with 95% of master’s students receiving merit and need-based tuition support in previous years. U.S. citizens and permanent residents should complete the FAFSA (school code 001774) to access federal loans and work-study opportunities.

The application needs unofficial transcripts, three recommendations (two about academic ability), and a 3-4 page personal statement about career goals and dedication to equity. Unlike many social work graduate programs, students don’t need GRE scores or interviews.

New York University (NYU)

NYU Silver’s School Social Work Training Academy tackles the critical shortage of qualified school social workers as youth mental health crisis grows. Among social work graduate programs, NYU distinguishes itself through specialized training opportunities that help students create immediate change in educational settings.

School Social Work Relevance

NYU’s School Social Work Training Academy (SSWTA) began in Fall 2023 through collaboration with New York City Public Schools. This partnership addresses the pressing need for qualified professionals who provide high-quality social and behavioral health support to young people and their families.

Students joining this specialization benefit from cohort-based learning and guidance from experienced faculty members. The program includes specialized coursework that centers on school-based practice. Students also receive stipend payments in fall and spring semesters, making the program more available to aspiring professionals.

Global and Local Fieldwork

NYU Silver’s partnerships span more than 600 health and social service agencies throughout the greater New York area. These partnerships give students dynamic learning opportunities in a variety of settings. The school’s practicum education serves as an “open classroom” where students apply theoretical knowledge with clients in real-life environments.

NYU expands these opportunities globally with immersive experiences in Shanghai and London. The MSW Program at Shanghai and New York stands as the only American university MSW program in China. Students can study and complete practicum work in two complex urban environments. Students can also participate in service learning programs in London that focus on anti-oppressive policy and practice.

Tuition and Dual-Degree Options

Financial planning plays a key role in the program. NYU Silver’s 2024-2025 tuition runs $1,652 per credit with registration fees of $560 for the first credit and $77 for each additional credit. First-year students in the two-year pathway typically pay about $58,023 in annual tuition and fees.

NYU provides four innovative dual-degree options for students who seek interdisciplinary education:

• MSW/MA in Child Development (with Sarah Lawrence College)
• MSW/MPH in Public Health (with NYU School of Global Public Health)
• MSW/JD in Law (with NYU School of Law)
• MSW/Executive MPA in Public Administration (with NYU Wagner)

The MSW/MPH dual degree proves especially valuable for aspiring school social workers. This program combines courses from six NYU schools and prepares graduates to lead in community healthcare, government agencies, and non-profit organizations both domestically and internationally.

Tulane University

Tulane University brings more than 100 years of social work education experience to the table. The university stands out as one of the best social work graduate programs because it offers two unique focus areas. These areas help aspiring school social workers tackle both individual and community challenges.

Child and Family or Trauma Focus

The Mental Health, Addiction, and the Family focus area teaches you how to work with children and families in educational settings through relational healing. Students benefit from focused coursework, specialized field placements, and chances to network with local and national experts. The Disaster and Collective Trauma (DaCT) focus area—one of few such programs in the United States—gives you the tools to treat psychological effects of collective trauma with anti-oppressive methods. Students can complete both focus areas within the standard MSW curriculum without extra credits.

Program Structure

Tulane makes learning accessible with three different curriculum plans:

• Full-time traditional MSW takes 16 months across four semesters
• Part-time traditional MSW spans 32 months over eight semesters
• Advanced Standing runs for 12 months over three semesters (BSW graduates with 3.3+ GPA qualify)

Students learn both clinical and community-based practice. This prepares them for direct practice and systems-level work. Field education is the root of the program with 900 hours at a single placement. On-campus students work in New Orleans and nearby areas, while online students complete placements in their communities.

Tuition and Scholarships

Tulane’s MSW program costs $1,276 per credit hour plus a $60 academic support service fee per credit. Traditional students invest about $76,560 for the complete program. Advanced Standing students pay approximately $61,248. Students have many financial aid options:

• Merit-based partial scholarships (automatic consideration after admission)
• Federal need-based loans (FAFSA required)
• Private alternative education loans
• External scholarships from NASW and religious institutions

The program accepts 80-85% of applicants. Qualified full-time applicants receive scholarships on a first-come basis.

University of Washington–Seattle

The University of Washington School of Social Work ranks among the nation’s top social work graduate programs with its specialized child-centered training. Students can choose from different concentration options and flexible formats. The program combines classroom learning with extensive field education to prepare students for rewarding careers in educational settings.

Child-Focused Concentrations

The Clinical Social Work specialization gives students detailed assessment and intervention skills to work with children in schools, child welfare, and youth justice systems. Students learn to enhance client well-being through direct practice with individuals, families, and small groups.

The Community-Centered Integrative Practice specialization takes a different approach. It emphasizes community healing and reflexive examination—skills that help school social workers tackle systemic issues affecting student populations. Students interested in child welfare can join the Child Welfare Training and Advancement Program (CWTAP). This program provides specialized training and financial support. Students must work with Washington’s Department of Children, Youth and Families after graduation.

Students take courses like Child and Family Inequalities and Practice with Diverse Children and Families. These courses help build expertise in child mental health assessment and intervention.

Program Structure

Students can choose from several program options. The full-time Day Program takes two years (six quarters) and moves from foundational to specialized content. Students start with 3-4 classes each quarter and a 16-hour weekly practicum. The second year focuses on advanced coursework with a 24-hour weekly specialized practicum.

Working professionals might prefer the Extended Degree Program. This part-time option takes about three years (9-11 quarters). Classes run Monday through Thursday from 6-9 pm. Students can also choose a hybrid format that combines online learning with four in-person sessions each quarter.

BSW graduates can complete their MSW in just one year through the Advanced Standing option.

Tuition and Fieldwork

Washington state residents pay about $25,278 for the first year of the full-time program ($50,443 total). Non-residents pay $42,360 ($84,607 total). The part-time Extended Degree Program costs $962 per credit, with a total cost of about $79,801.

Students complete two practicum placements at any of the 600+ affiliated sites. The first placement provides broad social work practice experience. The second placement matches the student’s chosen concentration and offers more complex skill development. Dedicated Field Faculty advisors guide students through both experiences.

Carlow University

Carlow University’s CSWE-accredited MSW program features a specialized track for school social work that distinguishes itself from other social work graduate programs with its trauma-informed curriculum. The program provides flexible learning options that working professionals will find particularly valuable.

School Social Work Concentration

Carlow’s school social work specialization builds on their direct practice track and gives students the best practices for assessment and intervention methods in educational settings. Students who complete the program earn Carlow’s School Social Work Certificate and become eligible for Pennsylvania School Social Worker Educational Specialist certification. The specialized curriculum rests on person-in-environment framework and trauma-informed approaches that emphasize human rights and social justice principles. Students become skilled at ethical leadership within schools, educational systems, and policy practice related to preschool through secondary education.

Program Structure

Carlow’s program comes in two distinct formats that meet different student needs. Students can choose between an in-person/hybrid option that combines on-campus courses at their Oakland location with online learning, or a fully online option for complete distance education. The online format includes asynchronous courses among other virtual synchronous meetings. Students can adjust their course loads each semester to balance professional and personal responsibilities, with a minimum requirement of 6 credits during field placement periods. The program’s rolling admissions process eliminates hard deadlines, which new applicants find helpful.

Tuition

The program’s tuition costs $650 per credit hour, and total expenses range from $25,350 to $39,000 based on the chosen track. BSW graduates from CSWE-accredited programs can qualify for advanced standing status if they have maintained a 3.0+ GPA in the last seven years. This accelerated path needs only 39 credits, and students can complete it in 18 months instead of the traditional 24-month timeline. Students should look into Carlow’s financial aid options like loans, grants, scholarships, and employer benefits that can help make their education more affordable.

CUNY Lehman College

CUNY Lehman College offers one of the most economical social work graduate programs available. Students get detailed training to become school social workers at a fraction of what other institutions charge. The Bronx-based program blends rigorous academics with hands-on experience in New York City’s varied communities.

Advanced Generalist MSW

The Master of Social Work program will prepare you to take on leadership roles through its Advanced Generalist curriculum. You’ll gain skills to work with individuals, families, groups, communities, and organizations. The program also teaches supervision, administration, research, and policy practice. Full accreditation from the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) ensures high-quality education and professional recognition.

Graduates meet all educational requirements to take the New York State Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) exam. The program also fulfills educational requirements for the Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) exam. Second-year students receive free specialized training to prepare for the LMSW exam.

MSW Fieldwork in School Settings

Field education is the key to Lehman’s social work training. Students complete 1,200 internship hours under qualified supervision. The program works with many educational institutions including Public School 9, University Heights High School, and Fordham High School for the Arts.

Students dedicate 21 hours weekly at their practicum site from mid-September through mid-May, completing 600 hours each year. First-year assignments focus on working directly with individuals. Second-year placements must include supervising others—such as volunteers or undergraduate students.

Affordability and Tuition

Lehman College stands out as an exceptional value. New York residents pay $7,315 per semester for full-time study or $620 per credit part-time. Out-of-state students pay more at $10,000 per semester, though this figure varies across sources.

Spanish-English bilingual students can take dual-language Advanced Practice courses at no extra cost. The program’s rolling admissions offer flexibility with three options: a one-year advanced standing curriculum, a two-year full-time program, or a three-year part-time program.

University of Pennsylvania

Penn’s School of Social Policy & Practice stands out among best social work graduate programs nationwide with its prestigious Ivy League background. U.S. News and World Report ranks it 12th. The program blends challenging academics with a steadfast dedication to social justice for students who want to work in educational settings.

Child and Youth Focus

The Child Well-Being and Child Welfare Specialization (CW²) prepares students to become excellent school social workers. The program takes a unique approach by combining clinical and macro practice methods under the guidance of nationally recognized faculty. Students build their expertise through:

• SWRK 7310: Clinical and Macro Child Welfare Practice
• SWRK 7320: Integrative Seminar in Child Welfare
• Child-focused elective courses
• Field placement in child or youth-focused agencies

Penn’s participation in the Child Welfare Education for Leadership (CWEL) Program helps public child welfare staff advance their education with guidance from specialized faculty.

Program Structure

Students can choose from three flexible program formats:

• Two-year Full-Time program
• Three-year Part-Time program
• Advanced Standing program for qualified BSW graduates

Students need 16 course units to graduate. The first year covers foundations in history, human behavior, racism, and practice fundamentals. Advanced specialized coursework in clinical or macro practice follows. Field education plays a vital role, with placements available throughout Philadelphia and surrounding areas.

Tuition and Financial Aid

Penn makes financial support accessible to students, but as an Ivy League institution, tuition is on the higher side. Tuition for a full-time MSW student is about $58,000 per academic year. The school reviews all students for scholarships automatically – no separate applications needed. Financial support includes:

• Scholarships based on faculty recommendation and financial need
• Federal work-study opportunities
• Federal loan options for eligible students

The competitive SP2 Scholars Program awards full-tuition scholarships to selected full-time master’s students who show leadership potential in social good.

Comparing School Social Work MSW Programs

Next Steps

Your career goals and personal circumstances should guide your MSW program selection. These high-ranking programs provide specialized school social work training through different concentrations. Students can choose from flexible formats and get complete field education opportunities.

The cost varies between programs. CUNY Lehman charges $7,315 per semester, while UCLA’s full program costs $69,244. Schools make these programs available through scholarships, grants, and federal aid. The University of Chicago helps 95% of its master’s students with financial support.

MSW training puts field education at its core. Michigan requires 500 hours while CUNY Lehman needs 1,200 hours of practical work. Students learn specialized coursework in child welfare, family systems, and educational settings. This combination helps them make a real difference in school social work.

Your location preferences, program flexibility, specialization options, and costs will shape your final choice. These top MSW programs give you the skills you need to support student well-being. You can opt for a traditional two-year program or an accelerated advanced standing option to succeed in educational environments.